OPENUNION JATCRELOCATION OK
IBEW Local 577 (Appleton, WI)
IBEW Local 577
Appleton, WI · Inside Wireman / VDV Electrician
Year 1 wage
$17–$21/hr
Journeyman
$36–$46/hr
Verified May 18, 20265 yr · 8,000 OJT hrs
Apprenticeships
Wisconsin.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
6,382
active construction apprentices
30+
registered programs (DOL)
1
verified open now
DOL RAPIDS data as of FY26 Q1 (March 2026)
Active Apprentices by Trade
Wisconsin · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 6,382 total
Electrician
1,991 apprentices$18.76/hr avg start
Plumber
1,112 apprentices$18.75/hr avg start
Pipefitter/Steamfitter
723 apprentices$23.65/hr avg start
Carpenter
703 apprentices$22.15/hr avg start
Sheet Metal Worker
398 apprentices$21.29/hr avg start
Operating Engineer
373 apprentices$28.86/hr avg start
Laborer
352 apprentices$29.65/hr avg start
Ironworker
228 apprentices$25.86/hr avg start
+9 additional trades not shown
Electrician
$18.76/hr
avg starting wage
Plumber
$18.75/hr
avg starting wage
Pipefitter/Steamfitter
$23.65/hr
avg starting wage
Carpenter
$22.15/hr
avg starting wage
What journeymen earn in Wisconsin · BLS OEWS 2025 · median hourly
Electricians
$37.51/hr
~$78K/yr
Plumbers & Pipefitters
$41.33/hr
~$86K/yr
HVAC Techs
$30.43/hr
~$63K/yr
Line Installers
$50.28/hr
~$105K/yr
BLS OEWS median across 15 metro areas in Wisconsin. Apprentices start at ~40–50% and graduate to full journeyman scale.
Verified Programs
Manually confirmed by PlumbSquare — application status current as of research date
1 manually verified. Wisconsin has additional DOL-registered programs below and at Apprenticeship.gov →
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Wisconsin with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wisconsin Operating Engineers JAC | Coloma | Operating Engineer | 927 | UNION |
ABC of WI-Waukesha | Madison | Painter/FinisherBricklayer/MasonCarpenter+8 | 779 | non-union |
ABC of WI - Madison | Madison | Pipefitter/SteamfitterBricklayer/MasonRoofer+8 | 688 | non-union |
ABC of WI-Green Bay | Madison | Sheet Metal WorkerElectricianOperating Engineer+8 | 434 | non-union |
SE WI Area Carpentry JAC | Pewaukee | Carpenter | 354 | UNION |
Madison Area Electrical JAC | Madison | Electrician | 288 | UNION |
ABC of WI-Fond du Lac | Madison | Bricklayer/MasonGlazierRoofer+8 | 282 | non-union |
SE WI Area Steamfitting JAC | Milwaukee | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 276 | UNION |
Milwaukee Area Electrical JAC | Greenfield | Electrician | 265 | UNION |
Milwaukee Area Plumbing JAC | Milwaukee | Plumber | 219 | UNION |
Milwaukee Area Sheet Metal JAC | Waukesha | Sheet Metal Worker | 218 | UNION |
Madison Area Carpentry JAC | Madison | Carpenter | 200 | UNION |
Milwaukee Area Ironworking JAC | Milwaukee | Ironworker | 196 | UNION |
We Energies | West Allis | Electrician | 191 | UNION |
South Central Constr Craft Laborers JAC | Deforest | Laborer | 189 | UNION |
Eau Claire Area Electrical JAC | Madison | Electrician | 180 | UNION |
Northeast Wisconsin Carpentry JAC | Kaukauna | Carpenter | 167 | UNION |
Fox Valley Area Sheet Metal JAC | Neenah | Sheet Metal Worker | 161 | UNION |
Madison Area Steamfitting JAC | Milwaukee | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 155 | UNION |
SE WI Construction Craft Laborers JAC | DeForest | Laborer | 143 | UNION |
Madison Area Plumbing JAC | Fitchburg | Plumber | 142 | UNION |
South Central WI Area Electrical JAC | Madison | Electrician | 139 | UNION |
Madison Area Ironworking JAC | Madison | Ironworker | 137 | UNION |
Appleton Area Steamfitter JAC | Appleton | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 136 | UNION |
ABC of WI - Marshfield | Madison | CarpenterPipefitter/SteamfitterBricklayer/Mason+7 | 131 | non-union |
Greater Wisconsin Millwright JAC | Kaukauna | Carpenter | 123 | UNION |
Northeast WI Area Electrical JAC | Madison | Electrician | 122 | UNION |
Madison Area Sheet Metal JAC | Sun Prairie | Sheet Metal Worker | 122 | UNION |
Appleton Area Plumbing JAC | Appleton | Plumber | 111 | UNION |
Northeast WI Area Plumbing JAC | Appleton | Plumber | 104 | UNION |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Wisconsin may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Wisconsin?
Apply to a JATC or non-union program. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, basic math test, proof of age (18+). Some programs add physical requirements or drug testing. Application windows open and close seasonally — check program status before applying.
Are apprenticeships in Wisconsin free?
Yes. Every DOL-registered apprenticeship is free to attend. Apprentices are employees, not students — you earn a wage from day one. No tuition, no student loans.
Union vs. non-union — which should I choose?
Union JATCs (IBEW, UA, SMART, UBC) typically offer higher wages, defined pension plans, and health insurance. Non-union programs (ABC, IEC) may have faster acceptance and work with open-shop contractors. Both paths are DOL-registered. Apply to both — take whoever accepts you first.
How long is a trade apprenticeship?
Most trades are 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 OJT hours). HVAC programs run 3–4 years. Lineman training is typically 3–4 years with specialized fieldwork. Every year your wage increases — you're earning near journeyman scale by your final year.
Wisconsin Licensing
Wisconsin is a right-to-work state and an SAA state. The Dept. of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) licenses electricians, master plumbers, and HVAC contractors through separate credential programs. Wisconsin has strong union apprenticeship programs in the Milwaukee metro area despite right-to-work status.
Electrician / Plumber (all credentials)
Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Board website →